HB191 Summary: Changes to Bail Law

• Codifies Criminal Rule 46 into the Ohio Revised Code by enacting new section 2937.011, requiring courts to release defendants on least restrictive conditions reasonably necessary to ensure appearance in court and public safety.

• Establishes that financial bail conditions must be least costly to defendants while sufficient to ensure appearance, considering public safety, risk of nonappearance, offense seriousness, and criminal history.

• Requires courts to establish bail bond schedules for misdemeanors and review them biennially by January 31 of even-numbered years to prevent unnecessary detention due to inability to pay.

• Mandates defendants arrested without warrant appear before a judicial officer for initial bail hearing no later than second court day following arrest, with a second bail hearing if unrepresented.

• Updates references throughout Ohio criminal code sections from Criminal Rule 46 to section 2937.011, with emergency effective date to address the anticipated repeal of Criminal Rule 46 on July 1, 2023.